Chapter 72
"Well…well…what do we have here?" The man in a red serge yelled out from atop the wagon as he was riding down main street.
Reed quickly turned around at the familiar voice. "Jack, we got lucky."
Jack turned to look over his shoulder. He and Reed were walking down the sidewalk toward the jail. They had just left the mercantile checking for any telegrams or messages from headquarters. They have been waiting overnight for the one mountie backup that was bringing the two crates for the undercover sting.
"Why would you say that?"
"That's Roy. He was my academy brother. I trust him with my life."
Jack nodded his head. If Reed trusted this mountie, then so would Jack. While he didn't know Roy, he trusted Reed. For Jack, that was enough. They watched the wagon slowly come to a stop just in front of the jail.
"Come on Jack. Let me introduce you to him."
Reed led the way to the jail. As they approached, the mountie jumped off the wagon and turned in the direction of where Jack and Sam were walking.
"Well, if it is Ol' Sammy Boy."
"Didn't I warn you about that?!" Reed sternly stated glaring at the man in the red serge.
"If I didn't have to carry you through the academy, I wouldn't call you that." Roy stated as he hugged his academy brother and patted him on the back.
"Sergeant Jack Thornton, this is Constable Roy Williams. Roy, this is Jack."
"The Jack Thornton?" Roy asked a little surprised. He quickly looked over Jack.
"The?" Questioned Jack.
"Yeah…let's get you unloaded, and we can sit and talk." Sam patted Roy on the back. Roy understood completely.
Roy stepped to the back of the wagon and pulled back the tarp that was covering the load. When he pulled it back, it revealed four crates. Jack and Reed looked over the edge of the wagon.
"Four?"
"Yeah…let's go inside, I'll get you two caught up."
…
"Alright class, please finish up. You have five minutes before lunch." Elizabeth walked around the classroom watching her students feverously work on their two paragraph paper.
Elziabeth was happy with how the class was going. Her students were working hard and being challenged. The best part was that they were growing from that challenge. She looked at the clock and decided to cut them a little bit of slack since they were working so well.
"Alright class, please turn in your papers to my desk. If you're not finished, you will have time after lunch."
The students cheered. They were looking forward to going outside to eat and play. Elizabeth had decided to give them some extra play time before resuming classwork. They were ahead of her lesson plans.
"Thank you, Mrs. Thornton."
"You are welcome, Emily. I look forward to reading your report. You are such a good writer."
"Thank you." Emily embarrassedly stated.
"Now, go and have fun after you eat."
"Thank you, Mrs. Thornton." JJ stated as he walked past her. She smiled at his title for her. She watched with love as he followed Emily out of the classroom. As she grabbed her bag off the desk, she saw Mrs. P standing at the door.
"Well, this is a nice surprise."
"Hello Bethie. How are you?"
"I'm well. You?"
"I'm doing well. I just wanted to check on you. It seems like forever since we have spent any time together."
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You have a lot going on over the last few weeks. Mr. P said the home is going very well."
"It is. Jack says we should be ready to move in in about a week or so."
"Really?"
"Yes. I'm hoping we will be in before JJ's birthday." She stated softly. She didn't want JJ to know the plans."
"Well, that would be perfect. I would like to help if you don't mind."
Elizabeth let out a sigh. Every cell in her body wanted to do this birthday party all by herself. However, she was quickly beginning to understand that her plans were too much for any one person to do by themselves. She wasn't happy about that fact. As she told Abagail, she wanted to do it all by herself. Mrs. P saw the turmoil written on her face.
Mrs. P took Elizabeth by her hand and led her outside to sit on the porch to enjoy the sunshine while she watched over the children. "My dearest Bethie, you simply need to understand that you love your little boy. I only offer to help because I love you and JJ. I don't want to take over your position as that boy's mother. You're too good at it to simply be replaced by anyone."
"I know, I just want to do it myself."
"Well…if that's the case, you are going to have to scale it back."
"I know. Auntie Abagail is helping with the food, but I'm doing the cake. Would you mind helping with the decorations?"
"Perfect. I can most certainly do that." Her smile covered her face. She loved that little boy just like a grandmother.
"He will like that." Elizabeth leaned onto Mrs. P's shoulder.
"You are a wonderful mother. JJ loves you. But the most important thing is that he knows you love him. That will make his birthday party the best."
"I know…" She wiped away a tear. "I just want it to be the best after the year he has had. Losing both parents and then moving to a new town. Now an instant family."
"I understand. He is loved and he knows it. You and Jack are doing a wonderful job with that little man. When you throw Auntie Abagail and Frank into the mix, how can it not be great?"
"And you and Mr. P."
"Yes. So, what are you thinking?"
…
The red haired, young woman looked up at the ceiling. After lunch, she went back upstairs to her little room. As she lay on the bed, her eyes went from the ceiling to her surroundings. While the items were a little sparse, she had everything she needed. There was a bed, a small basin with a picture of water, a bedside table, and a small dresser. She only had the clothes she was wearing yesterday. She did find two dresses that fit her perfectly in the closet by the bathroom. She also found some undergarments. The bedroom was small, but she felt more at home in this little room than she has for a long time. Last night was the best sleep she had over the last couple of months. She was shocked she fell asleep so quickly.
She found out just over a week ago that she was pregnant. Her boyfriend was enraged at the news. They had only had sex a couple of times. He had no desire to be married or be tied down to a woman and by a child. When she told him, he turned physically violent. Along with his fist, his angry words flew just as easily and landed with as much force. When her parents found out the news and what her boyfriend did, they were just as angry, but in a different way. Her father tried to find the scoundrel boyfriend, but evidently, the boyfriend left town. No one knew where he was.
Her father tried to convince her to put the child up for adoption. "You're way too young and I'm not supporting a fatherless child." Her father's words echoed in her ears. Her mother was a little more sympathetic, but not by much. She tried to convince her daughter to move to a family member far away and quietly have the baby so no one would know. Then she could move back to their home and find work. If everyone could keep their mouth shut, then no one would be any wiser concerning the situation. A quick adoption was promised by the adoption agency she reached out to.
However, the new mother to be had no intention of getting rid of her baby. She may have been extremely angry with her ex-boyfriend, but she loved her baby. There was no way she would ever give up her baby. The baby was hers and she felt a natural desire to protect the little one. She didn't know how, but she had to find a way.
When her parents learned that she was keeping the baby and not go away to give birth, the father threw her out of the house. He felt she brought shame on the family. For three nights she slept on the park bench in the back of a park in Hamilton. She was scared to death. She was also very hungry. When she heard of The Next Chance, she thought it was her last chance. She was scared to death of going there. The last night in the park brought enough fear to her that she knew she needed to find the courage to walk to this new place. She found it quickly, but it took her a couple of hours to find the strength to walk through the front door.
A tear fell down her cheek as she looked around the room. She and her baby were safe. Last night was the first time in a while that she didn't feel frightened. She was warm, had a full stomach, and safe. It was a great feeling. She still didn't know what she was going to do, but she was safe. At the moment, that was everything.
Ms. Ford was nice and friendly. She was shocked that Ms. Ford or Mrs. Thatcher didn't push for any details. They basically just gave her a room to stay. No questions were asked other than that one, simple question. She was shocked. She figured she had to share every dirty little secret, but this place was different from the other homes people told her about. She heard they would stack as many people in a room as possible. The places weren't necessarily the cleanest or quietest places to be. That wasn't what bothered her though. It was the thought that she had to share everything that happened. She wasn't ready to do that yet.
The red haired, young lady sat up on the edge of her bed. She wasn't sure how, but she was determined to make this opportunity work for her and her baby. She was at a loss, but she resolved to figure out a way to support her and her baby. This was her last chance, and she wasn't going to squander it. She placed her hands on her small belly as her feet touched the floor, "Little one, we have a tough start and a difficult journey to take, but we are going to do this together. We have to. Now, let's go and figure out what we must do next." Her voice, while still a little weak, was somewhat determined.
…
"I think that is a perfect plan." Mrs. P smile only grew at the thought of Elizabeth's plan. "Now Bethie, how are you going to do it?" She asked as they watched the little ones play outside.
"It all depends on the new home. We need to be there, or this isn't going to work."
"Very true. We are close enough that you can use part of our home if needed."
"We should be good. I think everything will work out if you and Abagail help me."
"That little one will love everything." She nodded toward JJ as he, Emily, and Sam ran around the grass area in front of the schoolhouse.
"I hope so." Elizabeth quietly whispered.
"Elizabeth, how could he not? It all sounds perfect. To be honest, it all sounds a little too much."
"I know, but it's his first birthday with us as our son."
"I get it. Now, what can we do on our end to get things going now?"
…
Jack, Reed, and Roy sat down at the desk. Jack sat behind the desk in the office chair and Reed sat on a chair that was beside the desk. Roy sat in front of the desk. Before they began, Littleton and Collins walked into the jail. They had just returned from a ride around the town and surrounding areas up north of town.
"Come…you two need to join in on this conversation." Jack stated as the two mounties walked in. "Now, let's get this figured out. Roy, why the four crates? We only asked for two."
"Headquarters looked into the description of the two men you called in. They match perfectly to Silas and Cody Anderson."
"The gang out of Toronto?"
"Yes Sam. That gang. They are middle runners of the Toronto Six."
The Toronto Six was a group of six outlaws who would do anything for money. They held up trains and banks to just outright breaking into any home or business to get money. Their crimes were ever increasing and gaining in violence. They were already a menace in Toronto, now their crime spree was reaching far beyond their hometown.
"Interesting…they didn't give us their last names, just their first names. So, the description matched?"
"Yes Sergeant Thornton. It matched perfectly. Down to Silas being left handed and the scar over his left eye."
"Please, let's be informal here. Call me Jack."
"Jack…" Reed stated to show the others that Jack was perfectly ok with the informalities. "…I'm sure you have heard of them."
"I have. The last headquarters stated was that they were heading east with their crimes. Headquarters didn't think they were interested in this part of the country."
"That's what they thought, but you seeing them out here has made headquarters rethink everything." Jack and Reed nodded their heads. "This group is getting brutal and reaching out in different areas of criminal activity. Running whiskey is a farfetched activity for them. It's money and power for them, their two greatest weaknesses."
"So, this is going to be bad."
"Jack, you are as good as they say."
"Roy, that's not true. This is just an easy assumption. Let's fill you in on what we have done so far and what we are thinking."
Jack and Reed spent the next few minutes sharing what had happened and their plans moving forward. Everyone was on board with the plan. However, the more Jack thought about it and heard that the Toronto Six was the ones running whiskey, he thought they needed to adjust the plan a little.
"Guys, what do you think about using Roy as the third man? Littleton and Collins will stay hidden in the background ready to pounce if necessary. Roy will come with Reed and I, but he will stay silent. Almost like a flunky or some guy in training. That will give us another immediate gun in the fight if this goes south quickly. That will buy us some extra time for Littleton and Collins to ride in and save the day."
The four other mounties thought about it for a few moments. They stole glances at each other. Roy spoke up and broke the silence. "Do you think you two could sell that?"
"I think we can if you come in as a flunky…maybe Reeds younger brother or some type of relative."
"I think that will work." Reed stated. "Jack's right, this could work as long as you come in as a subordinate. You couldn't come in with any power. Plus, that will bring another instant gun to the fight if it turns bad."
"What do you two think?" Jack looked at Collins and Littleton.
"I agree. If done right, it would work for our benefit, especially you two."
"I agree." Collins stated.
"Fine, let's do it this way then. So, Ray, what's in the two extra crates?"
"Jack, that came from headquarters. Two crates are weapons from the mountie police, and two crates are weapons from the states. The smaller box contains all the firing pins. We knew you wanted to keep them separately."
"Littleton and Collins, after this meeting please check each weapon and make sure the firing pins have been removed."
"Jack, I took them out myself. I guarantee you they are safe."
"Good enough." Jack nodded his approval.
"The higher ups wanted the two guys to think you were powerful players in this. They thought the extra crates would give that impression."
Jack nodded his head. "Any questions? Concerns? Thoughts?"
"When do we do this?"
"Tomorrow." Jack stated. Friday is my official last day. If this goes beyond that, Reed will be in charge of you three. I will slide over to my new role of sheriff. That will keep me involved. Everything will be seamless."
All the guys nodded their heads. "With one caveat…you will still be in charge and calling the shots here. This is your town and your case." Reed stated with a determined voice. It wasn't weak. They just knew that Jack was in charge and more than capable of it.
"Agreed." Jack heard four voices.
"Since that is finalized and before we leave, I do have one question."
"What's that?" Jack asked.
"The red tablecloths?" Asked Roy as the other mounties moved to the edge of their seats eagerly waiting for Jack's side of the story.
…
At Teddy's urging, Grace made a visit to the Next Chance home the next day. She didn't want to step on Abby's toes, but Teddy thought Grace connected with the young lady. Abby agreed as they sat down at the table enjoying a cup of tea.
"She hasn't been out of her room except to eat."
"I wouldn't think that would be out of the ordinary." Grace stated. "She looked scared. Troubled. Lost."
"I agree."
After a moment of silence, they heard footsteps coming down the stairs.
"Oh…hello Mrs. Thatcher and Ms. Ford."
"How are you doing today? Everything ok for you here?"
"Perfect."
"Would you like a cup of tea dear?" Grace asked as she stood to retrieve a cup.
"That would be perfect. Thank you."
"You're welcome." Grace placed the cup of tea in front of the young lady.
"Please." The young lady began but stopped for a moment. "Please call me Janice."
"Janice, nice to meet you." Grace began and then Abby spoke.
Janice repositioned herself on the chair. "I would like to find a job."
"We can help with that. What are you thinking?" Abby asked.
"I was in the beginning process of training to be a secretary."
"I think that is something we can work with."
"How long will you allow me to stay here?"
Grace reached for her hand. "Until you get back on your feet and you can take care of yourself and your little one."
"Really?"
"Yes dear. There is no judgement here and no timetable to adhere to. We all have made mistakes. This place is a safe place for you to regroup, recover, and learn to walk in this new season of your life. We just ask that you keep your room clean."
"I can do that. I would also like to work around here."
"That's not necessary." Abby stated.
"I know, but you aren't charging me for the room. I may be here for a while. I would feel much better if you would allow me to do a few things around here to earn my keep."
"That's not necessary, but if that will make you feel better, I think Ms. Ford can find you a few things to do."
"I would appreciate that."
Grace and Abby nodded their heads in agreement as they brought their cups to their lips to take a sip of tea.
After a few moments of silence, Janice spoke up. "I'm pregnant. Whey my boyfriend and family found out…" Janice spent a few minutes sharing the how sordid story. She spared no fact. For some odd reason, she felt comfortable sharing with these two ladies. They gave off a grandmotherly feel about them. Grace and Abby actively listened. They didn't make any odd faces. They hid their shock and anger very well. "…and that's when I walked through the door."
"Well Janice…" Grace stated as she and Abby reached for Janice's hands. "…you are safe here and you may stay as long as you need to so you can find your way."
"I appreciate that very much. This is my chance to making something good of my life and for my baby. I want to take advantage of it. I'm not giving up my baby."
"We can help. You are at the right place. If you want to be a secretary, we can help you with that too. If you want to do something else, we will do what we need to do to help."
"Why?" She asked.
"I'm sure you have read the papers about my family. My husband messed up and he is paying a huge price for his mistakes. He is in prison. However, he realized his mistakes. He is doing his best to reconcile his actions. I think everyone should have that next chance. This is what we think we should do. We have the opportunity to do this, and I believe there is a need."
"Thank you."
"You are welcome, Janice. Now, how about helping us with dinner?"
"I can do that."
Over the last several years, Grace had helped with several charities from the food pantry to raising money for various other charities. She was great at planning the fundraisers. She always enjoyed that type of stuff, but that was where her work ended. She wasn't hands on like she is now. Her focus was on countless avenues of help. With the Next Chance house, she was focused on one thing. To be honest, she was the most fulfilled she has ever been in many years. She knew without a doubt that this home for young women was exactly where she was supposed to be. She couldn't wait to tell William how she was feeling. It this home did enough good for these young women, she wanted to open another one. She felt there was a need for this.
…
"So, it's settled."
"Yes Rosemary, we will be married this Saturday if the dress is finished."
"It will be finished. I'm almost done with it."
"Perfect. Are you ok with this?"
"I am more than ok with it."
"You don't mind being married to a sawmill owner?"
"I love you, Lee. I don't care what type of work you do. Do you think you can handle all of my drama?" She asked as she moved closer to him. She walked into his loving embrace.
"Sure…us men have what we call 'selective hearing'." He laughed.
"Leland Coulter!" She squealed. "I can't wait to be married to you."
"Me too." He stated as he gently kissed her on the lips.
…
"Alright men, I'm going to my new home site to do some work. Littleton and Collins, it would be good for you to walk around the town just before dark. Let the people that are out see you. Reed and Roy, enjoy your evening. We all will be busy tomorrow. We'll meet back here at ten."
"Great." Jack heard several voices proclaim.
Jack walked toward his home. As he walked up the hill and his home came in sight, his smile only grew. He loved this medium sized home. He knew Elizabeth would love his little surprise. He worked with Mr. Johnston to have electricity run to the home. As he approached the home, the outside looked finished. The grounds needed some more attention and the other flowerbeds, but the home itself was finished on the outside. All the activity was focused on the inside.
As he walked through the door, he noticed several men still working hard. He also noticed that most of the inside stuff was finished. It was certainly enough for them to move in if they had to, but he wanted it completely finished before his family moved in. He didn't want unfinished rooms. He wanted his family to walk into a finished home on the first day of moving into the home.
"Hey Jack…how are you?"
"I'm fine Mr. Johnston. How are things going here?"
"All walls are done. Mr. Yost informed me that some of your orders would be in tomorrow. Electricity will be finished by the end of the day or early tomorrow. Tomorrow we will paint. Elizabeht should have left paint colors with Mr. Yost. I'll pick the paint up in the morning on my way here."
"Thank you, Mr. Johnston. I greatly appreciate everything you have done here. I have to work tomorrow. So, I won't be here until maybe late tomorrow."
"Thank you for your help at the farm. My loving wife thinks I can't do those things any longer."
"She just loves you and wants you to be careful."
"Yeah…sometimes she loves me too much." He laughed. "Now, we have to get the bathtub in and then there is some work on the last bedroom upstairs."
"On it."
…
Jack made a concentrated effort to visit Mr. Yost to check on any messages from headquarters. He also wanted to check on the items that Mr. Yost thought would be delivered first. He wanted to form a game plan on what was coming so he would know what to expect. Then he wanted to walk his family home after school. After stopping by the jail to check on the constables, he quickly made his way to the schoolhouse. As he walked up the steps, the door flew open and a line of smiling, loud children were exiting.
"I swear, those kids act like they don't like school." Elizabeth shook her head at the children's excitement at leaving.
"I think it has more to do with the sunshine than school. However, I remember how excited I was when the school day was over." Jack laughed as he walked up the aisle toward his wife.
"Maybe, but I'm starting to think they don't like me." She let out a small laugh.
"Well, I was a little afraid of my teacher too. Teachers always have this scary teacher face."
"Jarrick Thornton. I don't have a scary teacher face!" She proclaimed.
Jack chuckled. In her insistence of not having a scary teacher face, she had one at that moment. Her head was tilted to the right with her eyebrows raised. Her hands were on her hips and her right foot was slightly in front of her. Jack matched her stance.
"You better hope your face doesn't freeze that way." She giggled when she saw what he was doing. She released her scary teacher's face when Jack placed his hands on her hips. She slowly and deliberately pulled her closer to him.
"I know of something that will keep my face from freezing like that." He flirted.
"Yeah…and what is that?" She flirted as she playfully challenged him. Her knees grew weak when she saw the look in his eyes.
Jack smiled with his mouth and his eyes. Slowly, he leaned forward and placed a tender kiss on his bride's lips. She sighed at the gentleness.
"I hope that was a good sigh?"
"It was. Wait…wasn't your mother your teacher?"
Jack raised his eyebrows at her. She completely understood what he meant.
"I love you, Jarrick."
"I love you, Elizabeth. How are my two little ones?"
"JJ is doing really well in school. I don't know what I'm going to do with him in math class."
"Why is that?"
"Jack, he's above all the textbooks I have. That boy is smarter in arithmetic than all of us combined. He's not being challenged at all."
"Is he really that far advanced?"
"He really is Jack. He's advanced in all the other subjects. He is off the charts in arithmetic. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with him. I want to challenge him but I'm not sure how."
"You are the best teacher, and mommy, I know. You will figure something out." He gave her a smile as he picked up her basket and three books.
"Even better than your mother?" She asked with a grin.
"Yes." He gently kissed her on the cheek. She loved how gentle he was with her. Yet, he also knew when to be passionate. Somehow, he just knew what she wanted at that moment.
"And how is this little one?" He nodded toward her belly.
"My little sister is doing well." JJ answered as he ran back into the schoolhouse. "May I go with Emily to the pond?"
"You think mommy is having a girl?"
"I do. I'm getting a little sister." He stated with great confidence.
"JJ…it doesn't work that way. We won't know until this baby is born."
"Nope…you are having a girl. No doubts about it. I know it."
"You may go to the pond, but you better not get in the water or bring anything that was alive or is alive home in your pockets." Elizabeth turned her full attention to her son.
"If I can't do that, why would I go to the pond?" He asked as he wrapped his arms around her.
"To enjoy the sun, the wind, your friends."
JJ looked up to her face and when their eyes connected, he softly spoke. "That sounds fishy." The adorable smirk on her little boy's face was just too much to handle. She playfully rolled her eyes in mock contempt. She loved her little boy's sense of humor and playfulness.
Jack didn't even try to hide his smile or stifle his laughter.
"You're not helping!"
"I wasn't trying to." He ruffled his son's hair. "Go have fun and do what your mommy says."
"Thank you." JJ smiled. He kissed Elizabeth's belly and wiggled his finger to get Elizabeth to bend over. He kissed her on the cheek when she did.
"I'll try my best, but I'm not promising anything."
She smiled at her little boy's ridiculously large smile. She kissed him on the top of his brown hair. "Go and have fun." She turned her son by his shoulders. She gently pushed him forward to get him moving.
Jack and Elizabeth watched their son run out the front door. Elizabeth placed her hand on her belly as she accepted Jack's outstretched hand. They began their walk to their row house.
"If this one is just like that one, we are in a world of trouble." She giggled.
"Yeah, but wouldn't it be something." He smiled at the thought of his family of four. He was excited about his immediate future. "They would both exude love. Bring a bit of playful sassiness. Be respectful. And most importantly…they will be ours."
"Perfect." She lovingly sighed.
"How are things going?"
"Another mountie came today. That makes four plus me. We'll go out tomorrow and see what happens."
She tried her best to hide her nervousness. Jack shared with her most of the plan. She was grateful there was one more mountie to help. While she was still uneasy about the possibility of things going wrong, she took confidence in her husband's abilities. She welcomed when Jack pulled his arm a little closer to him. The act made her move closer to him. He knew she was a little worried about everything. She was also strong and wouldn't show it.
"You will do everything in your power to come back to me?" She asked.
"I will."
"And come back to me as fast as possible?"
"I have too much to lose is I don't. Elizabeth, I want this…all of this." He pulled her closer. "I'm not giving this up for anything in this world."
"I love you, Jarrick."
"I love you, Elizabeth."
